Company hopes to offer second level domains to Telegram users.
Messaging and communications platform Telegram has submitted an application to operate the .gram top-level domain (TLD). The move, announced publicly by Telegram’s founder and CEO, signals the company’s intention to create a namespace where individual Telegram accounts could claim short, memorable second-level domains such as yourname.gram.
According to the announcement, the plan would allow potentially up to a billion Telegram users to obtain their own second-level domains tied to their Telegram identities. Beyond simple addresses, Telegram indicated users could also create lightweight interactive websites hosted on the platform with minimal setup—describing the experience as achievable with a single prompt.
Running a TLD would give Telegram greater control over how those domains are managed, provisioned and secured. That level of control is particularly relevant after a recent outage related to the suspension of Telegram’s t.me domain, which affected access to short-links and caused service interruptions. Operating .gram would be one way to build redundancy and reduce dependence on third-party domains that can be suspended or otherwise disrupted.
Telegram is not the only party interested in the .gram string. Another organization, Link Freedom Group, has included .gram among a large set of applied-for strings. When multiple entities apply for the same TLD, the application enters what is known as a contention set; applicants may be required to resolve the contention through mechanisms defined by the domain policy authority, which can include private resolution, auctions, or other procedures.
If Telegram’s application succeeds, the company says it will work with Unstoppable Domains to serve as the registry service provider. A registry service provider is responsible for the technical operations that keep a top-level domain functional—DNS infrastructure, name server management, and the systems used to register and renew second-level domains. Partnering with an experienced registry provider can help support scale, uptime and security for a large, consumer-facing namespace.
The application process for a new generic top-level domain typically involves rigorous technical, operational and financial evaluations. Applicants must demonstrate they can meet the stability and security requirements expected of a TLD operator, present plans for DNS infrastructure, and outline policies for domain registration, dispute resolution and abuse mitigation. For globally popular platforms like Telegram, additional scrutiny often focuses on how the operator will prevent malicious use, phishing and other harmful activity while enabling user access and innovation.
For users, a .gram namespace could offer memorable public addresses linked to Telegram identities. Instead of long numeric IDs or platform-specific URLs, people might point to short domains that are easier to share and remember. Telegram’s stated vision includes not only domain allocation but also the hosting of simple interactive sites—potentially enabling creators, small businesses and communities to publish pages that integrate with their Telegram presence.
There are trade-offs to consider. Having a branded TLD concentrates control within the platform, which can be beneficial for consistency and moderation but may raise questions about ownership, portability and long-term access if policies change. Additionally, contention with other applicants could delay deployment or alter the final operator through dispute resolution or auction processes.
At this stage, the application marks a significant step toward a Telegram-branded namespace, but approval and operational deployment remain subject to the domain authority’s review process and any contention outcomes. If granted, .gram would be an example of a large consumer platform expanding into the namespace space to offer users a tighter integration between identity, addresses and simple web presence.
Telegram’s announcement has already drawn attention across domain industry observers and users who are interested in what a dedicated .gram TLD could mean for discoverability, branding and resilience of Telegram-linked services. The coming months will determine whether Telegram moves forward to operate the .gram domain or whether other applicants contest and potentially acquire the string.